Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night
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Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night is an animated movie that continues the original story told in Carlo Collodi's 1881 novel, The Adventures of Pinocchio. The movie features some intense scenes that some kids might find scary. Pinocchio (voiced by Scott Grimes) has been a real boy for a whole year, but risks being turned back into a puppet by an evil puppet-master. Bordering on the psychedelic, the mix of human and animal characters are mostly cute and cuddly but regularly run into perilous situations and sinister characters. The movie's strong messages of the importance of making the right decisions, choosing right from wrong, and telling the truth all come through clearly. But the way they are put across are often through dark scenarios. There are some intense scenes of threat in the movie, including characters being chased by a huge toad and a supernatural villain threatening their lives. During a scene in which children can do whatever they want, kids drink pints of an unspecified liquid that makes them act drunk.
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What's the Story?
In PINOCCHIO AND THE EMPEROR OF THE NIGHT, Pinocchio (voiced by Scott Grimes) has been a real boy for a whole year. But when a sinister carnival comes to town, he runs the risk of being turned back into a puppet.
Is It Any Good?
A cross between a 1980s cute and cuddly Saturday morning cartoon and a 1970s psychedelic rock album cover nightmare, this animated adventure is an impressive piece of art. But as a kids' movie, Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night's suitability depends on personal taste with its dark edges potentially proving too much for some. Disney's 1940 version of Pinocchio has its own moments that send kids into a tremor -- the scene in which Pinocchio turns into a donkey for one. But this loose sequel turns up the heat. When a desperate Pinocchio is turned back into a puppet to a dizzying synth carnival music soundtrack, while a demonic villain towers over him, it is particularly harrowing.
Amid the horror, its morals stand up and it's a fun watch, with some more cheerful antics balancing out the heavier moments. The morality of the movie is solid, with Pinocchio promising to try his best. Friendships are formed and the loving father/son relationship is open and honest, with Geppetto (voice by Tom Bosley) regularly telling Pinocchio that he loves him. The movie ends on a great tone of mutual respect that's to be admired and is to the film's credit.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the more scary scenes in Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night. Which bits did you find most intense? Did the fantasy element make it any less scary? How to choose a scary movie for your kid.
Pinocchio's nose grows every time he lies. Talk about the notion of lying. What are the repercussions of telling lies in real life? Why is it important that we tell the truth?
Some of the kids drink a liquid that appears to make them drunk. Do you think the film glamorized drinking? Were there consequences? Why is that important?
How does this version of the story compare to other versions of Pinocchio? Which ones did you prefer and why? Why do you think this is a story that keeps getting retold?
Movie Details
- In theaters: December 25, 1987
- On DVD or streaming: October 12, 2019
- Cast: Scott Grimes, James Earl Jones, Tom Bosley
- Director: Hal Sutherland
- Studio: New World
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Fairy Tales, Friendship, Puppets
- Character Strengths: Courage, Integrity, Teamwork
- Run time: 87 minutes
- MPAA rating: G
- Last updated: February 28, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
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Pinocchio
Disney masterpiece is darker than you may remember.
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Pinocchio (2020)
Italian live-action version has mild scares and peril.
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Pinocchio (2018)
Reimagining of classic tale has lots of peril, some scares.
For kids who love fairy tales
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